Sweeter than Chocolate

The Prompt: "Jaune discovers that his partner is a chocoholic, and he just so happens to know a good recipe for a chocolate fondant."—Lord Farsight

Response:

Jaune smiled as he put the finishing touches on the baklava. He knew that Pyrrha's birthday was a month away, but as far as the leader of Team JNPR was concerned, there was no excuse needed to do things for his team, and especially his partner. Once it finished cooling, he made certain to divide it up in equal portions for each of his friends. There was some for each member of Team RWBY, and Ren and Nora. Pyrrha of course got her own pan because she was his partner

Jaune hummed to himself as he finished putting each gift basket together. People that thought decorating was not a manly skill obviously didn't know how much work it took to do well. Once he was finally finished, Jaune made certain to deliver Team RWBY's baked delights to Weiss personally, since he knew she had enough restraint to make sure everyone on her team got their fair share. Ren and Nora's shares were delivered to Ren in their dorm for much the same reason.

Finally, Jaune made his way to the weight room, in the gym, where he knew his partner was working on her core strengthening exercises.

He found his partner finishing up a round of squats, her exertion hardly evident as she finished her last set. She took a moment to wipe the sweat from her face with her nearby towel. She turned and smiled brightly at his approach, "Hello, again!"

"Hey, Pyr," Jaune smiled back, I know you just finished your set, and I wanted to bring you something since you're working so hard..."

The Mistral champion was instantly curious as she spied the tastefully decorated basket in her partner's hand. "A present? What is it?"

"Ah, ah, ah, Ms. Nikos! That would be telling! Go get your shower, and you can have your surprise after." JNPR's leader mock ordered as he pointed imperiously toward the showers.

Pyrrha turned up the charm, pouting ever so slightly, as she tilted her head to look up at Jaune from under her lashes. It would have been devastating to any male that hadn't grown up under the watchful gaze of seven sisters. Jaune had long been immune to such tactics. His gaze did not falter, and finally Pyrrha huffed before making her way to the showers as quickly as possible

After taking a quick but thorough shower, because hygiene was important, surprise gift or no, Pyrrha found Jaune waiting for her, sitting on a nearby weight bench. He laughed when he saw her damp hair. "Someone's eager..."

She playfully slugged him in the shoulder as she reached for the basket.

Jaune quickly pulled it out of her reach, "Not so fast, Pyr. Oum, as eager as you are, I bet you even try to peek at your Dustmas gifts early, huh?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Jaune. Anything my parents have told you on the subject is hearsay and slander."

Jaune chuckled as he finally relented and handed her the basket, suddenly nervous. "I hope you like it.. I experimented a bit with my grandmother's old recipe for fondant, and combined it with some Mistrali flair since you said you were missing home."

In contrast to her earlier excitement, Pyrrha was very careful about opening the gift. When she'd unraveled the bow, and opened the box, her eyes filled with tears, "Jaune, how did you know baklava was my favorite pastry?"

Jaune rubbed the back of his head as he sighed in relief. "That was honestly a lucky guess. The real surprise is the filling, I just needed an easy to make Mistralian pastry to hold it. Baklava fit the bill."

After wiping away her tears of happiness, the sight reminding her so much of home, Pyrrha daintily took a pastry, and wrapped it in one of the convenient napkins in the basket.

The scent of the pastry is what she noticed first. The rich aroma of baked cocoa, and spices set her mouth to watering before she had even had the first bite.

Jaune watched with bated breath as she daintily nibbled her first taste of his baking efforts. Her eyes widened, gaining a strange manic gleam as she swallowed that first bite. He smiled in relief, she apparently liked it.

Pyrrha Nikos was in heaven.

The delectable, flaky pastry combined with what Pyrrha was beginning to suspect was two different types of chocolate, along with almonds and honey was quickly taking it's place as the most amazing food in Remnant in her eyes. It helped that Jaune was the one to make it. That made it even more special.

The rich, subtle hints of dark chocolate paired well with the milk chocolate Jaune had layered into the pastry. Pyrrha didn't even know it was possible to do such a thing!

As she finally swallowed the first bite of the most incredible pastry in creation, Pyrrha could not restrain herself from letting out a moan that was very vocal in appreciation. In fact, it would not be out of place in one of Blake's favorite books.

Once she realized that there were six more pastries in the box, Pyrrha threw manners out the window, and nearly inhaled the remains of the first pastry with a will.

Jaune looked on in wonder, impressed with his partner's disappearing act.

Pyrrha observed her partner with a half-lidded gaze, staring at him with a hunger that had nothing to do with food.

"Jaune~!" she whispered, "I'm not complaining, but why exactly did you decide to make these for me?"

Jaune beamed at her. "Do I need a reason to spoil the woman I love?"

Pyrrha smiled, deciding that such an answer deserved a reward. She lunged forward, but Juane was ready.

His stance was wide, and low to the ground. He caught his partner as she wrapped her arms around his neck, using their momentum to spin her around before setting her back down in place. Pyrrha shrieked her laughter, giggling madly

He leaned in and kissed her as she was catching her breath

'I was wrong' Pyrrha decided, as she tightened her hold on the man she loved, 'Jaune's kisses are definitely sweeter than chocolate.'

END